Hospitals ready for New Year revelry injuries

Hospitals across the country have started making preparations in anticipation of the surge in the number of firecracker injuries for the New Year revelry, a television report said Friday.

GMA News’ Steve Dailisan reported on Unang Balita that at the Tondo Medical Center, for instance, several medical equipment and medicines for treating firecracker wounds and other related conditions are in place.

Aside from drill machine, bone cutter, and gigli saw, hospital personnel have also prepared egg whites and charcoal used as first aid for poisoning incidents.

As of Thursday, December 30, five patients have been brought to the hospital. Authorities at the medical center said they are also ready for possible victims of stray bullets, stabbing, and road accidents during the revelry.

“Code White alert kami. Last year, 45 ang victims. Sana ‘wag na tumaas pa this year,” said Dr. Ron Claveria of Tondo Medical Center Surgery Department.

The Department of Health has so far recorded 103 victims of firecracker-related accidents.

One case involved firecracker ingestion while another was hit by a stray bullet.

According to DOH Spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag, the 27-year-old stray bullet victim is being treated at the Veterans Regional Hospital in Nueva Vizcaya.

The victim was hit by the stray bullet in the head while at home in Bagbag town in Nueva Vizcaya.

Authorities are still investigating the incident. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News